Albany Transportation Commission backs short-term 'kiss-and-ride' changes at three schools

The Albany Transportation Commission on July 24 recommended that city staff install signage and stripe curb zones to amend morning drop-off areas at Albany Middle School, Cornell Elementary and Marin Elementary, and asked staff to pursue additional operational ideas as feasible.

The recommendation, approved by voice and roll call, directs staff to implement short-term, low-cost changes — primarily paint and signs — intended to reduce curbside congestion and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety at school arrival times. Staff told commissioners they aim to install what is feasible within about three weeks, ahead of the school year.

Staff presentations described site-specific changes: extend the westbound loading zone on Brighton Avenue by 100 feet adjacent to Albany Middle School; consolidate two 70-foot loading zones on Cornell Avenue into a single 140-foot “kiss-and-ride” (passenger loading) lane and convert the Talbot-side loading area to a 15-minute parking zone for TK/K parents; and shift the Curtis Street loading zone at Marin Elementary about 50 feet north and reconfigure it as a 120-foot managed passenger loading area aligned with the school entrance.

Justin (City staff) told the commission the immediate work is a maintenance project to refresh and reallocate curb designations and that the city has discussed the plans with principals at each school. “We are hoping to implement these changes within the next 3 weeks,” Justin said. Ben (City staff) noted operational constraints: “We’re likely limited to paint on the street,” and that temporary cones or delineator posts are possible but present operational challenges for daytime removal and storage.

Commissioners and members of the public urged pairing the curb work with behavior changes and modest physical protections. Multiple speakers — including a resident who said, “it’s a mess and it’s just dangerous for kids” — pushed for hardened red zones and volunteer or school-run programs to manage the flow. Commissioners suggested painting buffer stripes to slow traffic, marking clear queuing lanes, and encouraging remote drop-off areas such as the library lot or staged spots on Masonic Avenue.

Cornell-specific details recorded in the presentation: two existing northbound 70-foot loading zones would be consolidated into a single 140-foot kiss-and-ride serving grades 1–5; TK and kindergarten would use the Talbot entrance adjacent to a proposed 15-minute parking zone so parents can walk younger students into the building. Staff said they will solicit ideas for managing the kiss-and-ride (for example, designated curb door-opening points and temporary signage frames) given limited staff resources.

At Albany Middle School staff proposed the 100-foot extension on Brighton Avenue to reduce spillover congestion on San Gabriel Avenue and to promote use of Masonic Avenue as an alternative drop-off location. At Marin Elementary staff proposed relocating the Curtis loading zone to better align with the school entrance and converting it to a managed passenger loading area during morning drop-off.

After discussion and public comment the commission voted to recommend the maps and related changes as presented, together with the commissioners’ operational suggestions. The motion carried on a roll call with all commissioners present voting in the affirmative.

Staff said they will work with the school district (staff referred to coordination with USD) on parent education, monitor the rollout and make adjustments as needed, and incorporate larger or permanent design ideas into phase 3 of the city’s Active Transportation Plan. Implementation in the near term will focus on paint and signage; any vertical or hardened elements would require additional operational planning and budget.